Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Houghton, Taggart, Vaughan and White.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 18^th September, 2019 attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th September, 2019 be approved as a correct record. 

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

(i)  The Mayor welcomed Bishop Deborah Sellin to the meeting.  The Bishop recently became the first woman to be the Bishop of Southampton. 

(ii)  The Mayor expressed his thanks and gratitude to all those involved with the arrangements for this year’s commemorations on Remembrance Sunday.

(iii)  The Mayor also welcomed to the Chamber representatives from Radian and volunteers from the Round About Café who have recently received the Queens Award for Voluntary Services. 

(iv)  The Mayor expressed congratulations to POC Poppy Martin who was awarded the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Sea Cadets.  There were several cadets chosen from across the county and different services and Poppy was selected from all Sea Cadets in Hampshire.  In addition Lindsay Bassett, Commanding Officer of the Southampton Sea Cadets for Cadet forces Adult Volunteers.  The introduction of this commission is the first in 150 years and recognises the services of Volunteers to the Cadet forces. 

(v)  Sharon Carroll who works for the Council’s Employment Support Team has recently been promoted to Sergeant in her work in the Armed Forces.

(vi)  Henry Whitcher, City Council Warden received a Police award last week.  The Mayor extended his congratulations to all those who were mentioned at the meeting today. 

(vii)  The Leader announced that Councillor Thomas (Independent) was joining the Labour Group with immediate effect. 

To receive any requests for Deputations, Presentation of Petitions or Public Questions.

The following petition has been received which under the Council’s Procedure Rules for qualifying petitions must be debated at Council:

We petition the Council to rethink its position on expansion of Southampton International Airport in the light of Parliament's declaration of a climate emergency and the 2019 amendment to the Climate Change Act target for zero net carbon by 2050, and publicly state that the Council objects to the expansion of the Airport

Justification:

Expansion of Southampton International Airport will lead to:
- More noise pollution (5600 local people are already living with levels of noise that are double those recommended by the WHO for airport emissions)
- Increased air pollution (from both flights and associated traffic increases)
- Worse road congestion
- Increased greenhouse gas emissions (inconsistent with achieving zero net carbon by 2050 - flight numbers need to be cut, not increased, to prevent climate breakdown)
- Few, if any, benefits for Southampton residents (we get a worse quality of life to enable more flights)
In addition:
- The promise of low-paid jobs is not enough to cover the cost to us, as council tax payers, of all the above
- Flights from Southampton are decreasing anyway, and if Heathrow is expanded regional airports will lose traffic, making expansion of Southampton unnecessary
- More flights will undermine Southampton City Council's own Green City Charter and make a mockery of the Council's efforts to achieve a low carbon future for our city.

The Council received and noted a deputation from Mr Narbed on planting and caring for trees in Southampton. 

The Council received and debated the following Petition which under the Council’s Procedure Rules where qualifying petitions must be debated at Council was achieved:

(i)  Airport Expansion Opposition containing 1900 signatures.

Note:  Councillor Payne declared a pecuniary interest and left the meeting for this item. 

(a)  Councillor Shields to move:

Safe Nurse Staffing levels

Southampton City Council acknowledges the research carried out locally by the University of Southampton as part of an evidence review for the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and cited in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, relating to the very real and increasing risk of inadequate nurse staffing or skill-mix levels presented to high quality and safe patient care.

The City Council recognises the need for the NHS in England to follow the lead given by the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly/ Senedd in addressing concerns of members of the Royal College of Nursing in making safe staffing levels a statutory requirement for all the UK’s NHS care providers. 

The City Council resolves, therefore, to write to the chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board to secure their support for safer nurse staffing levels in England.

(b)  Councillor Hammond to move:

Rising Crime and Falling Police Numbers in Southampton

This Council notes the continuing increase in the rate of recorded crime, whilst Hampshire police numbers have fallen over the past 8 years.

Council is particularly concerned that since 2010 the number of frontline neighbourhood police officers serving the city has declined by almost half.

Council welcomes the promised investment at both a national and local level, but is concerned that the government’s recent announcement of additional police officers won’t be in post until April 2021.  

Council likewise welcomed the commitment given by Hampshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner to increase the number of frontline police officers in this financial year, but justifiably expects that Southampton receives its fair share of this additional resource

This Council is dismayed at the government’s failure on crime and believes that our residents and visitors deserve to feel safe in our city. Council calls on the Police and Crime Commissioner to respond to requests already made for much needed additional policing on our streets.

(a)  Councillor Shields moved Councillor Spicer seconded

Southampton City Council acknowledges the research carried out locally by the University of Southampton as part of an evidence review for the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and cited in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, relating to the very real and increasing risk of inadequate nurse staffing or skill-mix levels presented to high quality and safe patient care.

The City Council recognises the need for the NHS in England to address concerns of members of the Royal College of Nursing in making safe staffing levels a statutory requirement for all the UK’s NHS care providers not least locally, where in June 2019 there were 4,881 vacancies in the Wessex Region which covers the Southampton population. This included 422 vacancies for qualified medical and dental and 2,257 registered nursing and midwifery staff. Specifically there were 40 vacancies for qualified medical and dental staff in NHS organisations based in Southampton (29.7% of the regional total) and 196 registered nursing and midwifery staff vacancies (27.9% of the regional total).

The City Council resolves, therefore, to write to the chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board to secure their support for safer nurse staffing levels given the impact of such shortages on the residents of the city.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED

RESOLVED: that the motion be approved. 

(b)  Councillor Hammond moved and Councillor Keogh seconded.

This Council notes the continuing increase in the rate of recorded crime, whilst Hampshire police numbers have fallen over the past 8 years.

Council is particularly concerned that since 2010 the number of frontline neighbourhood police officers serving the city has declined by almost half.

Council welcomes the promised investment at both a national and local level, but is concerned that the government’s recent announcement of additional police officers won’t be in post until April 2021. 

Council likewise welcomed the commitment given by Hampshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner to increase the number of frontline police officers in this financial year, but justifiably expects that Southampton as the largest urban area in the county receives its fair share of this additional resource.

Council calls on the Police and Crime Commissioner to urgently respond to the written request from the Leader of the Council on 7^th August for much needed additional policing on our city’s streets.

Amendment moved by Councillor Fitzhenry and seconded by Councillor Hannides. 

Council welcome the commitment from the government and Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire (PCC), for more Police Officers for Southampton. Council calls on the PCC to write to the council immediately detailing when we will receive the additional resources to ensure we can continue to keep our residents and businesses safe.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR FITZHENRY WAS DECLARED LOST.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HAMMOND WAS DECLARED CARRIED.

RESOLVED: that the motion be approved.

To deal with any appointments to Committees, Sub-Committees or other bodies as required.

It was noted that there were no appointments to Committees, Sub Committees or Other Bodies.

Report of the Electoral Registration Officer outlining the outcome of the 2019 polling district and polling place review.

The report of the Returning Officer was submitted outlining the outcome of the 2019 polling district and polling place review.

RESOLVED that the recommendations in respect of the Polling Districts and Polling Places as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources outlining a policy for investment in commercial property.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Resources outlining a policy for investment in commercial property.

RESOLVED to:

(i)  Re-affirm the commitment to a property investment fund as a part of the strategy for addressing future budget shortfall.

(ii)  Agree the approach as outlined in this report and the investment criteria attached to this report.

(iii)  Agree to delegate to the Service Director – Strategic Finance and Commercialisation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, the ability to amend the property investment strategy prior to making the first additional purchase into the Fund.

(iv)  Note the addition and spend of £200M.  It is proposed to include this sum in the 2019/20 capital programme.  Whilst it will be included in full, in practice it is likely there will be a need to spread such an investment beyond the current year.  This will be funded by Council resources.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Aspiration, Children and Lifelong Learning seeking approval for a tender for a block contract with one or several providers on the Children’s Residential Care Framework.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Aspiration, Children and Lifelong Learning seeking approval for a tender for a block contract with one or several providers on the Children’s Residential Care Framework.

RESOLVED to authorise the spend by the Council necessary to enter into one or two Block Contracts for 3-6 beds with providers on the existing Children’s Residential Care Framework, following a mini competition, up to a total value of £5,963,880. 

Report of the Leader of the Council, attached.

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive.

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to questions.

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1

1.  Mayflower 400

Question from Councillor Hannides to Councillor Kaur

Would the Cabinet Member agree that a successful Mayflower 400 is essential for the success of the City of Culture bid?

Answer

Yes

2.  Townhill Park Regeneration

Question from Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Kaur

Can the Cabinet Member confirm when work onsite for polt 2 at Townhill Park will begin?

Answer

The aim is to get a contractor working on the plot 2 project during 2020. Resident feedback and necessary approvals such as planning consent will determine the exact dates.

3.  Adult Social Care Grant

Question from Councillor Hannides to Councillor Barnes-Andrews

Can the Cabinet Member confirm how much additional grant the Council will receive next year from the Government for Adult Social Care?

Answer

The Government published the Local Government Finance Settlement 2020/21 Technical Consultation on 3 October 2019. This set out proposals for the allocation of a new Social Care Grant of £1.41 billion in 2020/21 for adult and children’s services. Of this, £410 million is a direct continuation of 2019/20 Social Care Support Grant and £1 billion is new funding. The indicative allocation for Southampton City Council is £6.7 million, comprising £1.9 million rollover of 2019/20 Social Care Support Grant and £4.8 million new funding.

Actual allocations will not be confirmed until the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement is published, which will not be until after the General Election.

4.  2030 Carbon Neutral Target

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Hammond

Can the Leader of the Council confirm what the 2030 Carbon Neutral target from the Green City Charter is and how it will be measured?

Answer

The aspiration contained within the Green City Charter is that the City will be carbon neutral by 2030. The council is developing a plan to achieve this which will involve the mapping of the carbon footprints for the council and city.

The Mayor agreed to the following Question to be tabled as an urgent matter:

5.  St. Monica Primary School

Question from Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Paffey

Are you happy with the delivery of education at St. Monica Primary School.

Answer

The school has clear guidance of governance.  I will provide a written response. 

To consider any question of which notice has been given under Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

It was noted that no requests for Questions from Members to the Chairs of Committees or the Mayor had been received.